Switchback Trail at Jim Thorpe: All aboard the 12-mile gravity train hike! скачать в хорошем качестве

Switchback Trail at Jim Thorpe: All aboard the 12-mile gravity train hike!

Jim Thorpe is a historic town in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, near the Lehigh River Gorge. Called initially Mauch Chunk, after the Lenape word meaning "bear place," the town became a hub for coal mining in the 1800s. The wealth created a vibrant community. Once oil and the combustion engine reduced the demand for coal, the town sustained itself through tourism. The name change to Jim Thorpe came later as a way to attract tourism by honoring the greatest athlete of his time, and Native American, Jim Thorpe. The Switchback Trail and our 12-mile hike took us along the path of the original Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railroad operated by Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. While steam power was required to get the cars to the top of Mount Pisgah, a gentle grade down the switchback track gently guided the anthracite to town. We took a brief detour to check out a cave opening below the trail. This point of interest is not identified on any of the signs discussing the history of the area. Although I am not a trail runner, this seems like an ideal trail for this type of activity. The assent is so very gentle, but real. Code: P8IDMNTS3ZA2TDJ9